The Scottish artist Nnena Kalu has been named the winner of this yr’s Turner Prize, turning into the primary learning-disabled particular person to say the award. Her victory was described as a “milestone” by the director of Tate Britain and the chair of the prize jury, Alex Farquharson.
The artist’s work, which is comprised of suspended sculptures sure with rope and tape together with swirling vortex drawings, is on present within the Turner Prize exhibition at Cartwright Corridor Artwork Gallery in Bradford (till 22 February 2026) as a part of the UK Metropolis of Tradition pageant. The opposite shortlisted artists have been Rene Matić, Mohammed Sami, and Zadie Xa.
“Firstly, our determination was qualitative and based mostly on the visible and aesthetic high quality of Nnena’s work,” Farquharson mentioned. “She makes wonderful summary artwork, whirlpool-like; its expressiveness is enigmatic.
“It might not be a strong assertion if the work was not highly effective by itself phrases. Additionally, studying disabled artists haven’t been correctly recognised within the artwork world so that is a part of a change.”
There was “a robust sense from the prize jury that Nnena is a deserving winner within the context of a really sturdy shortlist” with “throughout the board” help, he added.
Kalu, who’s autistic and has restricted verbal communication, was nominated for her contribution to the Conversations exhibition on the Walker Artwork Gallery in Liverpool and for her work Hanging Sculpture 1 to 10 at Manifesta 15 in Barcelona. Her nomination “represents a very important second for the training disabled artist group, not simply nationally however internationally,” mentioned Michael Raymond, a co-curator of the Turner Prize exhibition.
A Tate assertion mentioned: “The jury recommended Kalu’s daring and compelling work, praising her vigorous translation of expressive gesture into fascinating summary sculpture and drawing. Noting her distinct follow and finesse of scale, composition and color, they admired the highly effective presence these works have.”
Kalu’s follow is supported by the visible arts organisation ActionSpace. which runs a studio at Studio Voltaire in south London. Kalu’s main assistant, Charlotte Hollinshead, the pinnacle of Artist Growth at ActionSpace, has labored with Kalu since 1999.
Kalu receives £25,000 whereas the opposite three shortlisted artists obtain £10,000 every. Prize judges included the unbiased curator Andrew Bonacina and Sam Lackey, the director of the Liverpool Biennial. The charitable basis arrange by Lord Browne of Madingley and the Uggla Household Basis established by Lance Uggla—a trustee of the Tate Basis—are exhibition sponsors.
